Tornhuset, a steam power plant in the centre of town

Tornhuset was originally built to hold a steam power plant to electrify the city. Steam was chosen over water power because the nearest suitable site for a hydroelectric plant lay seven kilometres away, which was considered too far. The build was financed largely by Gustaf Rothoff, Umeå's mayor for 46 years, who died in 1891. In his will he left a large sum of money for the electrification of the city.

The power plant, built in red brick, was completed in 1892, making Umeå the fifth city in Sweden to be electrified. Beyond the power plant itself, the building held homes for the plant's staff and the tower that is still its defining feature, used by the local fire brigade for drying hoses between uses.

More about the power plant and its museum at Umeå Energi.